Piercing and riveting machine



April 8, 1939. R. A. SKRIBA 2,154,824

PIERCING AND RIVETING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1937 8 Sheeis-Sheet 1 April 18, 1939. R. A. SKRIBA 2,154,824

PIERCING AND RIVETING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 1939- R. A. SKRIBA PIERCING AND RIVETING' MACHINE Filed March 13, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 8, 1939. R. A. SKRIBA 2,154,824

PIERCING AND RIVETING MACHINE F'iled March 13, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 gww%g April 1939- R. A. SKRIBA 2,154,824

PIERCING AND RIVETING MACHINE Filed March 15, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 8, 1939. R. A. SKRIBA PIERCING AND RIVETING MACHINE Filed March 15, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 1:5, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 April 18, 1939. R. A. SKRIBA PIERCING AND RIVETING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PIERCING AND RIVETIN G MACHINE Rudolph A. Skriba, Chicago, Ill., asslgnor to F. J.

Llttell Machine Company, Chicago, 111., a. corporation of Illinois Application March 13, 1937, Serial No. 130,658

35 Claims.

The invention relates to punching and riveting machines and has reference more particularly to an automatic machine for riveting a metal spoke spider to an automobile rim.

An object of the invention is to provide a machinecapable of performing a punching and riveting operation in sequence and during one cycle of operation of the machine.

Another object resides in the provision of a machine of novel construction which will pierce one or more layers of metal, place a rivet in the opening thus formed, and then rivet the same, all operations taking place automatically and in sequence during one cycle of operation of the machine. The present punching and riveting machine has been particularly designed for operation on automobile rims and the punching and riveting operations continue until the rim and spoke spider are riveted at a plurality of places spaced around the rim. Therefore the operator of the machine need only place the temporarily assembled rim and spider in the machine and remove the riveted article at the completion of the last riveting operation.

A further object is to provide a machine for the purpose described having novel indexing mechanism for rotating the temporarily assembled rim and spider intermittently and for a fraction of a revolution, the said rotation following each punching operation and occurring before the next riveting operation in order to of the die is determined by the thickness of the head formed on the rivet and the elevating movement is necessary in order that the first rivet set in the work piece clear the punch die.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a punching and riveting machine having resiliently mounted supporting means for the work piece capable of movement in a substantially vertical plane so as to yield under the pressure of either the piercing or riveting punch until the work piece contacts one or the other of said dies and which will therefore have corresponding upward movement following the riveting operationso that the rivet head formed on said rivet will, clear the riveting die. This resilient movement of the support for the work piece has a further advantage in that the work piece is lifted from the piercing die and therefore any burrs that may be formed as a result of the piercing operation will be lifted clear of said die. The upward movement of the work piece following the punching and riveting operation is further necessary in order to accommodate the elevating adjustment of the riveting die.

Another object resides in the provision of a manually operable locking chuck having improved operation so that locking of the work piece in position on the machine can be efiected without displacing the work piece or marring or otherwise injuring said work piece at those points where the chuck contacts the same.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the punching and riveting machine of the invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the right side of the machine of Figure 1, parts being shown in section;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the left side of the machine of Figure 1, more particularly showing the structure for manually and automatically tripping the clutch to the main driving shaft;

Figure 4 is a rear elevational view' of the present punching and riveting machine illustrating the indexing mechanism for intermittently rotating the work holding shaft;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view of the piercing punch and die therefor showing the structure in operative position with an assembled automobile rim and spider forming the work piece;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the punch and associated structure shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a top plan view, parts being shown in section, of an automobile rim with a metal spoke spider riveted thereto in a plurality of places;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view,

parts being shown in section, of the rivetingpunch and elevating die therefor showing the same in operative position with an assembled automobile rim and spider forming the work piece;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the structure for releasably holding the assembled rim and spider in proper position on the operating shaft;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary plan view showing the clutch tripping structure positioned on the right side of the machine; and

Figure 11 is a fragmentary top plan view of the hub of the work holder showing the contour of the cam recesses.

Referring to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention disclosed comprises a frame I0, Figure 1, having suitably journaled in the upper end thereof an operating shaft having cranks l2 and I3 angularly displaced and having rotatably mounted on one end thereof a fly wheel |4 suitably driven from a source of power. The operating shaft is also provided with a clutch indicated generally by numeral l5 actuated by means to be presently described in order to operatively connect the fly wheel and said operating shaft. The other end of said shaft has suitably fixed thereto cams l6 and I1.

Each of the cranks l2 and I8 have mounted thereon connecting rods I8 which actuate slides 26 mounted for vertical movement in guideways 2|. The connecting rods I8 are equipped with adjusting screws 22 which make possible proper positioning of the slides from the work piece. Links 23 connect slides 28 with lower slides 24 mounted for movement in slideways 25 formed in the brackets 26. In accordance with the invention the brackets are adjustably secured tothe frame III of the press, said adjustment being arcuate and having the center of the work piece as the center of their movement. In the structure shown the brackets 26 have been positioned so as to locate the lower slides at a particular angle with respect to the vertical, said angle being determined by the nature of the work piece being operated on. Suitably fastened to the lower end of the left hand lower slide 24 is a piercing punch 21 and secured in a similar manner to the lower end of the right hand lower slide 24 is a riveting punch 28.

Numeral 30 indicates in its entirety a hopper for rivets having a chute 3| leading therefrom by which the rivets are delivered in proper presentation to a slideway in the member 32 suitably supported by bracket 33. Bracket 33 is secured to bracket 26 and the parts therefore comprise a unit to maintain proper relationof the parts. The plunger 34 mounted for sliding movement in the slideway of member 32 is suitably actuated through linkage including the link 35 from lever 36. Said lever is pivotally supported from bracket 26 and oscillating movement is imparted thereto by the cam strip 31 fixed to and carried by the lower slide 24. The function of slide 24 is to deliver a rivet to the riveting punch 28 at the time when the same is positioned in substantial alignment with the slideway in member 32.

The work piece is carried by a work supporting shaft 46, Figure 2, extending through the frame l8 of the press from the rear to the front thereof. The rear end of shaft 46 is suitably journalled in plate 4|, having pivotal connection at 42 with an adjustable plate 43. Said last mentioned plate is adjustably secured to member 44, having a fixed relation with the frame of the press. By reason of the adjustability between plate 43 and member 44 the pivot point 42 can be properly located at the desired angle with the vertical. A portion of the shaft 46 extends beyond plate 4| and an indexing plate 45, Figure 4, is suitably fixed thereto, said plate preferably having contact with plate 4|. Notches 46 formed in the periphery of said indexing plate are adapted to receive an indexing pawl 41 carried by arm 48 having pivotal connection with the end of shaft 4!). Locking pawls 49 and 50 are carried by plate 4| and also have location in the notches 46 for the purpose of holding the indexing plate in indexed position. Bracket 5|, suitably secured to plate 4|, supports the brake straps 52 which function to take up all loose play in the' mechanism.

The forward end of the work supporting shaft 46 is reduced in diameter at 53, Figures 8-and 9, for rotatably receiving a bearing saddle 54 having pivotally connected'to the lower end thereof at 55 a shackle link 56 which at its lower end pivotally connects with a slide 51. The slide 51 has movement within slideways 58, Figure 1, provided by member 60 adjustably bolted by bolts 6| to the press frame Hi. The depending stud 62 is suitably secured at its upper end to the rib 63 formed on the member 66 for the purpose of supporting the coil spring 64 which bears against the lower washer 65. An upper washer 66 is interposed between the coil spring and rib 63, said washer backing up the pins 61 which extend through rib 63 and contact at their upper ends the base of slide 51.

A feature of the present invention is the mounting of the work holding shaft as above described. Said shaft is pivotally connected at its rear end at 42 which permits movement of the forward end in a tilted plane, depending on the displacement of the pivot point with respect to the vertical. For purposes of the present punching and riveting operations it is necessarythat the forward end of the work supporting shaft not only have movement but that said forward end be resiliently supported so that the same may yield under the pressure of the piercing and riveting punches. For this purpose the shaft 40 is engaged by the saddle 54 which is yieldingly supported by the heavy coil spring 64 through the instrumentalities including shackle 56 and slide 51 above described. The slide has controlled movement within member 66 which is adjustable on the frame of the press in order that the angularity of the vertical movement of the work supporting end of shaft 48 may be varied. Any adjustment of the plate 60 must be accompanied by similar adjustment of plate 43 from which the shaft is pivotally supported.

Cam I1 is provided with a cam race 68, Figure 2, within which rides the roller 68 suitably secured to the yoke 16 to which is attached the rod 1|. The lower end of rod 1| pivotally connects with a lever 12 suitably fixed to shaft 13, journalled in bracket 14 supported from the frame In. The other end of shaft 13 carries a lever 15 connecting with link 16 which actuates the index arm 48.

Movement of the indexing arm downwardly causes the roller 11 to disengage pawl 56 from its notch in the indexing plate and therefore upon upward movement of said indexing arm 48 said indexing plate is free to rotate, which is effected as a result of engagement of pawl 41 in a notch in said plate. The extent of rotation thus imparted to the work supporting shaft 40 is determined by the degree of oscillation of the arm 48. It will be observed that upon upward movement of said arm to effect said indexing rotation roller 11 will pass out of contact with pawl 50, permitting said pawl to drop into the next notch brought into alignment therewith to again lock the indexing plate against overtravel.v Pawl 49 permits rotation of plate 46 in an indexing direction but prevents rearward rotation. The work supporting shaft is therefore securely locked in rotated position and while thus locked the punching and riveting operations-to be presently described take place.

The cam I8, rotated by the crank shaft II, actuates arm 18, Figure 2, through contact with roller 19. Arm 18 pivotally connects with rod which in turn has pivotal connection at its lower end with lever 8|. Said arm is suitably secured to shaft 82, journalled by bearings 83. Depending levers 84 are keyed to shaft 82 and are positioned on the respective sides of .the saddle 54. Said arms have connection with a split collar through links 86. The collar 85 is mounted in a groove, Figure 9, formed in the work holder 81, which is supported on the reduced forward end 88 of the work supporting shaft 40. The projecting key has interlocking association with the collar 85 to prevent rotational displacement of said collar, it being understood that the work holder 81 has rotation with shaft 40 as the same is splinely keyed thereto at 9I, which however, ermits axial movement of the work holder on the portion 88.

The forward and rearward movement of the Work holder above described is necessary in order that the spider 92 of the automobile rim 93, comprising the work piece supported by said holder, may clear the overlapping punching die 94 and riveting die in order to permit indexing rotation of said work piece. The return movement of the work holder which follows the indexing rotation is eiTected by the cam I5 through the instrumentalities above described including rod 80. However, forward movement of the work holder is effected by the spring 96 confined between bracket 91 and washer 98, suitably fixed to rod 80. The saddle 54 is retained on its reduced portion of shaft 40 by the retaining collar I00 which has threaded securement on the work supporting shaft and thus provides a stop, limiting the return movement of the work holder which thereby properly positions the Work piece in alignment with the respective punches.

The work holder 81 is provided with a disc IOI recessed around its periphery forming a shoulder I02 which provides a locating center for the spider 92 of the work piece. This disc also carries a pilot pin I03 which projects through one of the openings formed in the spider to properly locate the work piece on the work holder and thus provide for registry of the spokes with the dies. The pilot pin also prevents rotation of the work piece with respect to the work holder.

The protruding end I05 of the work holder is adapted to receive the chuck I08 having spider arms I01 formed thereon. A coil spring I08.is located between and is housed in aligned recesses formed in the work holder and chuck respectively. The purpose of said spring is to cause forward movement of the chuck when released by the hand wheel I09, having handle H0, and which is suitably threaded as at II to the forward end of hub I05. The stop collar I I2 limits outward travel of the hand wheel I09. The chuck I05 carries cam pins I I3 which project into cam recesses I94 formed on opposed sides of the hub I05. As best shown in Figure 11 each cam recess has a contour which for a part of its length is parallel with the axis of the shaft 40 and for the remainder is at an angle thereto. Upon release of the hand wheel I09 the spring I08 will cause said chuck to move forwardly and the direction of said movement is controlled by the cam recesses II4. As a result of the parallel portion of said cam recesses the chuck moves forwardly and by reason of the an lar portion of said cam recesses the chuck is -aused to have limited rotation. Rotation of the spiders at the end of their forward movement serves to locate them clear of the protruding lugs II5 formed on the spoke spider 92 whereby the work piece can be readily removed from the work holder. As movement of the chuck resulting from the parallel cam recesses H4 is normal to the spoke spider the surfaces of said spider are not marred or otherwise damaged as a results of the clamping and locking action which the spider arms I01 have therewith.

A knee I I8 suitably secured to the frame I0 of the press provides a rigid support for the dies 94 and 95, the former being fixedly mounted in the knee, whereas, die 95 is mounted to permit an elevating movement as will be presently described.

Referring more particularly to Figure 5, the piercing punch operating in conjunction with the die 94 to pierce openings in the work piece is shown as supported by a punch holder II1 which is suitably secured to the lower end of the left lower slide 24. Secured by bolts II8 to the lower end of the punch holder I I1 is a punch guide I20, said guide having a central bore therethrough receiving the punch I2I which is releasably retained in the guide by a hardened steel ball I22 backed up'by a set screw I23. Located above the punch I2! and between the guide and holder there is located a hardened steel anvil I24 through which pressure is applied to the punch. The holder I I1 is provided with a plurality of vertical bores I25 having a reduced diameter in the lower end providing shoulders I26 within the holder. Said bores receive elongated screws I 21 with the headed end of said screws located in the upper end of the bores I25 and which extend through the guide I20 having secured to their lower projecting ends the stripper I28. The shape of said stripper is such as to receive its guidance from the guide I20 and to function as a guide for the lower end of the punch I2I which gives rigidity to the punch during piercing operation. Coil springs I30 having their upper ends seated within the holder II1 L and their lower ends within stripper I28 function to force the stripper downwardly, the said downward movement of the stripper being limited by the heads on screws I21 which contact the shoulders I25.

The depending members I3I suitably secured to the slide brackets 26 pivotally support at I32 stripping fingers I33 which carry intermediate their ends rollers I34. The stop screws I35 are provided for the purpose of limiting inward movement of the lower end of the stripping fingers which are yieldingly biased in that direction by the spring pressed plungers I35. A bracket I31 extends from the respective sides of the holder H1 and to each end of the bracket is suitably secured a cam I38, the function of which is to engage rollers I34 upon upward movement of the punch holder to cause outward movement of the lower ends of the stripping fingers I33.

In the operation of the structure above described the stripper I28 is maintained in its extreme lowermost position by the coil springs I30 and said stripper therefore has initial contact with the work piece, preventing unsupported protrusion of punch I2I. Continued downward movement of the lower slide 24 will move cams I38 out of contact with rollers I34, allowing the stripping fingers to move inwardly to engage at their lower ends shoulders of the stripper I28. Further movement of the slide downwardly will cause downward movement of the work piece until the same is in contact. with the die 94, whereupon movement of the stripper is arrested and punch I2I 'will continue downwardly to pierce the work piece, forming an opening therein and automatically forcing the metal slug resulting from the piercing operation into the slug discharge passage I39 formed in the punching die.

A feature of the present construction of the piercing punch resides in the stripping of the punch from the work piece which results from the holding action which the stripping fingers I33 have with the stripper while the punch is being withdrawn from the work piece. The upward movement of the punch continues until the lower end is completely withdrawn from the work piece during which movement the stripper is in firm contact with the work piece, holding the same against the die. Presently the cams I38 will engage rollers I34 to produce outward movement of the stripping fingers. Thus release of the stripper takes place slightly in advance of contact which the heads of the bolts I21 eventually have with shoulders I26, whereby the stripper is lifted from the work piece and the entire assembly has upward movement as a unit.

Following the piercing operation on the work piece the work supporting shaft 40 is indexed to rotate the work piece one notch, bringing the opening thus formed in alignment with the riveting punch. Before the riveting operation takes place a rivet is delivered to the punch by the plunger 34 operating in member 32. This rivet is held in contact with the punch and is inserted in the opening in the work piece, whereupon the riveting operation takes place to form a head on the lower end of the rivet. The structure of the riveting punch will now be described.

Suitably secured to the lower right hand slide 24 is a punch holder I40 having secured thereto a rivet punch I4I adapted to engage the head of the rivet during riveting and force the lower end of the same into the recess formed in the riveting die. Rivet holding fingers I42 are pivotally secured at I43 to the punch holder and by reason of the slots I44 said fingers are capable of vertical displacement with respect to the holder. The coil spring I45, located between the fingers above their pivot point, yieldingly biases them in a direction to maintain .the lower ends thereof close together so that said ends will hold a rivet after the same has been positively inserted between said fingers. The coil springs I46 force the fingers downwardly the full extent permitted by the elongated slots I 44. v

The fingers I42 are thereby positioned by the coil springs described to yieldingly hold a rivet inserted between the lower ends of said fingers and which will thereby be in contact with the riveting punch I4I. In order to release said rivet after the same has been inserted in its respective opening a stop I41 is provided for each rivet holding finger, said stop having contact with the curved upper end of said finger when the riveting punch moves downwardly into riveting position. Members I48 fixedly support the stops from the brackets 26.

The knee II6 supports the riveting die 95 in a manner permitting elevation of said die for the purpose of performing a riveting operation. The said die is provided with stepped horizontally disposed bearing surfaces I50, which surfaces are complementary to those formed on the slide II carried by knee H6. The pin I52 insures true vertical movement of the riveting die'and the same is yieldlngly forced downwardly into contact with thestepped surfaces of the slide I5I by the coil springs I53. The punch holder I40 provides a horizontally extending member I54 to which is suitably fixed the depending cam I55. The lower end of said cam is adapted to, enter the cam openings I56 formed in the slide I5I and as said cam has vertical movement, conforming to the movement of the riveting punch, it will be understood that slide I5I is oscillated to alternately raise and lower the riveting die 95. As a result of the above construction the riveting die, although mounted for movement vertically, is strong enough to withstand the heavy pressure applied thereto during the riveting operations.

As previously described, the operating shaft II is provided with clutch I5 for operatively connecting said shaft to the fly wheel I4. Said clutch includes a clutch pin I51 adapted to be actuated by latch I58 which is pivoted at I60 and spring pressed by the coil spring I6I in a direction upwardly in which position the clutch pin I51 will be withdrawn and the operating shaft disconnected from the fly wheel. Through the linkage, including levers I62, said latch has connection with a vertically disposed operating rod I63 having connection at I64 to a pivotally mounted foot pedal I65. Actuation of said pedal in a downward direction will locate the latching block I66 below the retaining member I61, which member is suitably positioned within a yoke I68 forming part of the trip rod I10. The bracket I1I supports said trip rod, said bracket being secured to the right side of the frame I0 of the press. One end of the trip rod I is operatively connected to lever I1Ia and to the trip handle I12 and the opposite end hasconnection through the bell crank lever I13 to link I14. Carried by the trip rod is a coil spring I confined between bracket I1I and washer I16 adjustably secured to said rod. By means of said spring the retaining member I61 will assume a position and be retained over block I66 when the latter has been located below said member. Release of said block, permitting upward movement of the operating rod can be effected by retracting the latching member, which movement, however, must take place against the tension of spring I15. As best shown in Figure 4, the trip rod through link I14 has connection with latch I15 supported for movement in bracket I16. Said latch is actuated once during each revolution of the indexing plate 45 by means of the roller I11 which is brought into contact with said latch, producing movement of the same rearwardly and effecting movement of the trip rod against the tension of spring I15. This automatically releases the operating rod and the latch I58 moves upwardly under tension of spring I6I to actuate.

the clutch pin and disconnect the operating shaft from fiy wheel I 4.

The above machine will complete a cycle of operations for each revolution of the crank shaft I I during which both the piercing punch and the riveting punch will be caused to move downwardly into contact with the work piece, forcing the same against the respective die to perform the punching and riveting operations. The riveting punch will perform the additional function of receiving a rivet when located in its uppermost position and placing said rivet in the opening in the work piece in alignment with the riveting die at the end of its downward movement and immediately in advance of the application of pressure on the head of the rivet to perform the riveting operation. As previously explained, the rivet holding fingers I42 function to receive and direct the rivet into its respective opening, the fingers automatically engaging with the rivet and releasing the same at the proper time.

Following the piercing operation and before the riveting operation takes place the work piece is given an indexing rotation, the magnitude of which is determined by the arcuate distance between the piercing and riveting dies. This indexing rotation is characterized by movement forwardly of the work piece in order that the same may clear both said dies and'by movement rearwardly following the indexing rotation to again associatethe work piece with the dies. This indexing rotation and axial movement of the work piece is effected notwithstanding the yielding supporting means for the work piece whereby the same has limited movement in a plane at an angle to' the vertical and which is parallel with the angular position of the piercing punch. The pivotal support for the opposite end of the work supporting shaft is also disposed at the same angle to the vertical which is determined by the number of rivets to be placed in the work piece. The plate 4| providing the pivotal support for the shaft 40 is adjustable as is also member 60 and slides 24 for the piercing and riveting punches and therefore the machine can be adjusted to different work pieces wherein a larger or smaller number of rivets would be required.

In the operation of the piercing and riveting machine above described the work piece is located in proper position on the work holder and then looked inposition by the spider arms i 01. The operator then starts the machine by treading on pedal I65, whereupon the work piece is pierced, indexed and riveted, all operations, including the placing of a rivet in the opening, taking place automatically and in sequence. The operations continue until the last riveting operation is performed, whereupon the indexing plate will have rotated to cause roller I11 to throw out the clutch, disengaging the operating shaft from the driving fly wheel. Rotation of the hand wheel H19 thereup'on releases the work piece which is removed and the entire operations repeated for the next work piece placed in the machine. The machine can be stopped at any time during operation by actuation of the trip handle I12.

What is claimed is:

1. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches each mounted for reciprocating movement, means for supporting a work piece to permit indexing rotation and movement in a plane substantially parallel to the movement of the piercing punch, the magnitude of said indexing rotation being deter.- mined by the arcuate distance between said piercing and riveting punches when in operative position and said indexing rotation occurring automatically in timed relation with other operations of said machine.

2. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement at opposed angles to the vertical, means for supporting a work piece in a manner permitting indexing rotation thereof and movement in an angular plane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch, resilient means associated with the work supporting end of said supporting means, and a piercing and riveting die supported in alignment with the piercing and riveting punch respectively.

3. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, a piercing punch mounted for reciprocating movement at an angle to the vertical, a riveting punch also mounted for reciprocating movement at an angle to the vertical equal but opposed to that of the piercing punch, a work supporting shaft adapted to support a workpiece at the end thereof, means pivotally supporting the rear end of said shaft permitting bodily movement of the shaft in an angular plane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch, means resiliently supporting the forward end of said shaft permitting bodily movement thereof in said angular plane, and piercing and riveting dies supported in alignment with the piercingand riveting punch respectively.

4. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes forming and acute angle therebetween, a work supporting shaft adapted to support a workpiece at the forward end thereof, means supporting the rear end of said shaft for rotation and for pivotal movement in a plane. substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch, guiding means for controlling the movement of the forward end of said work supporting shaft, and piercing and riveting dies supported in alignment with the piercing and riveting punch respectively.

5. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, a work supporting shaft adapted to support a work piece at the forward end thereof, means pivotally supporting said shaft at the rear thereof for movement in a plane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch while permitting rotation of said shaft, resilient means associated with the forward end of said shaft supporting the same for limited movement in said angular plane, a piercing die and a riveting die supported in alignment with the piercing and riveting punch respectively, and means for intermittently rotating said work supporting shaft in timed relation with other operations of said machine.

6. In a piercing and riveting machine, the combination with piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, of a work supporting shaft pivotally supported at its rear end in a manner permitting rotation of said shaft and bodily movement thereof in a plane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch, means associated with the forward end of said shaft for guiding said end, a piercing die and a riveting die supported in alignment with the piercing and riveting punch respectively, and means for imparting an indexing rotation to said shaft, said indexing rotation of the shaft being intermittent and taking place during the time interval between the piercing and riveting operations.

7. In a piercing and riveting machine, the combination with piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, a work supporting shaft pivotally supported at its rear end in a manner permitting rotation of said shaft and bodily movement thereof in an angular plane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch, guiding means associated with the forward end of said shaft for guiding said end in its bodily movement, resilient means associated with said guiding means whereby said forward end is resiliently supported, a piercing die and a riveting die supported in alignment with the piercing and riveting punch respectively, and means for imparting an indexing rotation to said shaft.

8. In a piercing and riveting machine, the combination with piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, a work supporting shaft pivotally supported at its rear end in a manner permitting rotation of said shaft and bodily movement thereof in an angular plane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch, guiding means associated with the forward end of said shaft for guiding said end in its bodily movement, resilient means associated with said guiding means whereby said forward end is resiliently supported, a piercing die and a riveting die supported in alignment with the piercing and riveting punch, respectively, and means for imparting an indexing rotation to said shaft, the magnitude of said rotation being determined by the arcuate distance between said piercing and riveting dies and occurring in timed relation with other operations of said. machine.

9. In a piercing and riveting machine, the combination with piercing andriveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, means for supporting a work piece to permit indexing rotation thereof and movement in a plane substantially parallel to the movement of the piercing punch, piercing and riveting dies supported in alignment with the piercingand riveting punch respectively, said piercing die being fixedly mounted and said riveting die being supported for limited vertical movement.

10. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, means for supporting a workpiece to permit indexing rotation thereof and movement in a plane substantially parallel to the movement of the piercing punch, piercing and riveting dies located in alignment with the piercing and riveting punch respectively, and means supporting said riveting die in a manner permitting elevating movement thereof.

' 11. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, means for supporting a workpiece to permit indexing rotation thereof and movement in a plane substantially parallel to the movement of the piercing punch, a piercing die rigidly supported in alignment with the piercing punch, a riveting die located in alignment with said riveting punch, means supporting said riveting die permitting limited elevating movement thereof, and means carried by said riveting punch imparting said elevating movement to said riveting die in timed relation with the riveting operation.

12. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, means for supporting a workpiece to permit indexing rotation thereof and movement in a plane substantially parallel to the movement of the piercing punch, a piercing die rigidly supported in alignment with the piercing punch, a riveting die located in alignment with the riveting punch, means mounting said riveting die permitting limited elevating movement thereof, a cam member carried by said riveting punch, and a supporting slide for said riveting die, said cam member having association with the supporting slide to thereby produce said elevating movement of the riveting die in timed relation with the .reciprocating movement of the riveting punch.

13. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, means for supporting a workpiece to permit indexing rotation thereof and movement in a plane substantially parallel to the movement of the piercing punch, a piercing die rigidly supported in alignment with the piercing punch, a riveting die located in alignment with the riveting punch and provided with stepped supporting surfaces, and a supporting slide for the riveting die having stepped surfaces complementary to those on the riveting die.

14. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, means for supporting a workpiece to permit indexing rotation thereof and movement ina plane substantially parallel to the movement of the piercing punch, a piercing die rigidly supported in alignment with the piercing punch, a riveting die located in alignment with the riveting punch and having stepped supporting surfaces formed on the underside thereof, a supporting slide for said riveting die having stepped surfaces complementary to those on the die, and a cam member carried by the riveting punch adapted to engage said slide and cause movement thereof as said cam member reciprocates, whereby elevating movement is imparted to said riveting die.

15. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in diflerent planes, 2. work supporting shaft adapted to support a workpiece at the forward end thereof, means supporting the rear end of said shaft for rotation and for pivotal movement in a plane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch, guiding means for controlling the movement of the forward end of said work supporting shaft, said guiding means having association with said forward end of the shaft in a manner permitting rotation of the shaft, piercing and riveting dies supported in alignment with the piercingand riveting punches respectively, and means associated with the rear end of said shaft for imparting an indexing rotation thereto, said indexing rotation occurring in timed relation with the piercing and riveting operation.

16. A piercing-and riveting machine, .in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, a work supporting shaft adapted to support a workpiece at the forward end thereof, means supporting the rear end of said shaft for rotation and for pivotal movement in aplane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch, guiding means for controlling the movement of the forward end of said work supporting shaft, said guiding means having association with said forward end of the shaft in a manner permitting rotation of the shaft, and a resilient coil spring providing a support for said guiding means.

17. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, a

work supporting shaft adapted to support a workguiding means having association with said forward end of the shaft in a manner permitting rotation of the shaft, a resilient coil spring providing a support for said guiding means, a piercing die rigidly supported in alignment with the piercing punch, a riveting die located in alignment with the riveting punch, means mounting said riveting die permitting limited elevating movement thereof, and means actuated by the reciprocating movement of the riveting punch for producing said elevating movement of the riveting die in timed relation thereto.

18. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, 2. work supporting shaft adapted tosupport a workpiece at the forward end thereof. means sup porting the rear end of said shaft for rotation and for pivotal movement in a plane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch, guiding means for controlling the movement of the forward end of said work supporting shaft, said guiding means having association with said forward end of the shaft in a manner permitting rotation of the shaft, an indexing plate fixedly secured to the rear of said work supporting shaft, and means having oscillating movement in timed relation with the piercing and riveting operations for imparting an indexing rotation to said plate, said indexing rotation of the plate being intermittent and occurring during the time interval between said piercing and riveting operations.

19. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, a work supporting shaft adapted to support a workpiece at the forward end thereof, means supporting the rear end of said shaft for rotation and for pivotal movement i n a plane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch, guiding means for controlling the movement of the forward end of said work supporting shaft, said guiding means having association with said forward end of the. shaft in a manner permitting rotation of the shaft, an indexing plate fixedly secured to the rear end of said shaft, means operating intermittently to rotate said plate thereby causing an indexing movement of said work supporting shaft, and means actuated by said indexing plate during each revolution thereof to discontinue the operation of the press.

20. A piercing and riveting machine, in com bination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes, 2. work supporting shaft adapted to support a workpiece at the forward end thereof, means supporting the rear end of said shaft for rotation and for pivotal movement in a plane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch, guiding means for controlling the movement of the forward end of said work supporting shaft, said guiding means having association with said forward end of the shaft in a manner permitting rotation of the shaft, an indexing plate fixedly secured to the rear end of said work suppor ing shaft, means operating to cause intermittent rotation of said plate, thereby producing an indexing movement of the work supporting shaft, means having operation to start and stop the machine, and means actuated by said indexing plate to trip said starting and stopping means thereby discontinuing the operation of the machine.

21. In a piercing and riveting machine, the combination with piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement, a work holder for supporting a work-piece and having periodic indexing rotation and also movement in a plane substantially parallel to the movement:

of the piercing punch, piercing and riveting dies; supported in alignment with the piercing and riveting punches, respectively, and means causing forward movement of the work holder preceding "1 the indexing rotation thereof and causing rearward movement of the work holder following said indexing rotation.

22. In a piercing and riveting machine, the combination with piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in planes forming opposed angles with the vertical, a work supporting shaft pivotally supported at its rear end in a. manner permitting rotation of said shaft and bodily movement thereof in an angular plane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch, guiding means associated with the forward end of said .shaft for guiding said end in its bodily movement, a piercing die and a riveting die supported in alignment with the piercing and riveting punch respectively, means imparting an indexing rotation to said shaft, and means producing forward movement of the workpiece supported by said shaft preceding the indexing rotation thereof and producing rearward movement of said workpiece following the indexing rotation.

23. In a piercing and riveting machine, the combination with piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in planes forming opposed angles with the vertical, a work supporting shaft pivotally supported at its rear end in a manner permitting rotation of said shaft and bodily movement thereof in an angular plane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch. guiding means associated with the forward end of said shaft for guiding said end in its bodily movement, resilient means associated with said guiding means whereby said forward end is resiliently supported, a piercing die and a riveting die supported in alignment with the piercing and riveting punch respectively. means for imparting an indexing rotation to said shaft. the magnitude of said rotation being determined by the arcuate distance between said piercing and riveting dies, a work holder carried by the resiliently supported end of said work supporting shaft, and means producing forward movement of said work holder preceding the indexing rotation thereof and producing rearward movement of the work holder following said indexing rotation, whereby the workpiece fixed to said work holder will clear the piercing and riveting dies to nermit unobstructed indexing rotation.

24. A piercing and riveting machine, in combination, piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in planes forming equal but opposed ang es with the vertical, means for supporting a workpiece permitting indexing rotation thereof and movement in a plane substantially parallel to the movement of the piercing punch, a piercing die rigidly supported in alignment with the piercing punch. a riveting die located in alignment with the riveting punch, said riveting die being mounted in a manner permitting limited elevating movement thereof, and means associated with said riveting die for imparting said elevating movement thereto, said means and riveting die having stepped complementary surfaces whereby said riveting die is maintained in a true horizontal plane throughout said elevating movement.

25. In a piercing and riveting machine, the combination with piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement in planes forming opposed angles with the vertical, a work supporting shaft pivotally supported at its rear end in a manner permitting rotation of said shaft and bodily movement thereof in an angular plane substantially parallel to that of the piercing punch, guiding means associated with the forward end of said shaft for guiding said end in its bodily movement, a work holder carried by said shaft at the forward end thereof, a piercing die and a riveting die supported in alignment with the piercing and riveting punch respectively,

and stripping means associated with said piercing punch for holding the work piece in contact with the piercing die following a piercing operation and until said piercing punch has been withdrawn from the opening formed thereby.

26. In a piercing and riveting machine, the combination with piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement, a work supporting shaft having a work holder at one end thereof, piercing and riveting dies supported in alignment with the piercing and riveting punch respectively and adapted to be positioned under a workpiece carried by said work holder, and

movable stripping means associated with said piercing punch adapted to hold said workpiece respectively, and rivet holding fingers associated I with said riveting punch for holding a rivet in contact with the lower end of said punch.

28. In a piercing and riveting machine, the

combination with piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement, a work supporting shaft having a work holder at one end thereof, piercing and riveting dies supported in alignment with the piercing and riveting punch respectively, and rive holding fingers pivotally carried by said rivet punch for holding a rivet in contact with the lower end thereof.

29. In a piercing and riveting machine, the combination with an operating shaft, of a piercing punch and a riveting punch each mounted for reciprocating movement and actuated by said shaft, means supporting a workpiece in a .manner permitting indexing rotation thereof,

said piercing punch and said riveting punch each performing an operation and said workpiece being indexed by rotation thereof during each revolution of said operating shaft.

30. In a piercing and riveting machine, the combination with a power driven operating shaft, of piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement and actuated by said shaft, a piercing and riveting die supported in alignment with the punches respectively, and means for supporting a workpiece between said punches and their dies, said piercing punch and riveting punch performing an operation in sequence during each revolution of said operating shaft.

31. In a piercing and riveting machine, in combination, an operating shaft, a piercing punch and a riveting punch mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes and operatively connecting with said shaft, means supporting a work-piece in alignment with said piercing and riveting punches in a manner permitting indexing rotation thereof, and means also operatively connecting with said shaft for rotating the work supporting means to index thework-piece, said indexing rotation following each punching operation but occurring before the riveting operation to position the pierced opening in alignment with the riveting punch.

32. In a piercing and riveting machine. in combination, a power driven operating shaft, 9. piercing punch and a riveting punch mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes and actuated by said shaft, supporting means supporting a work-piece in a manner permitting rotation, and means also actuated by said oper-' ating shaft for rotating the work supporting means to index the work-piece, said operating shaft actuating said piercing punch to complete a piercing operation, rotating said work-piece to index the same, and actuating said riveting punch to complete a riveting operation during each and every revolution of the shaft.

33. In a piercing and riveting machine, in combination with piercing and riveting punches mounted for reciprocating movement and operating to perform a piercing and riveting operation respectively, a work holder supporting a work-piece and having indexing rotation following the piercing operationbut preceding the riveting operation, and means causing forward movement of the work holder preceding the indexing rotation thereof and causing rearward movement of the work holder following said indexing rotation, all of'said operations occurring in sequence and during each cycle of the machine.

34. In a piercing and riveting machine, in combination, a piercing punch and a riveting punch adapted to perform a piercing and riveting operation on a work-piece, means supporting said Work-piece and having rotation between the piercing and riveting operation to index the work-piece, and an operating shaft, said shaft actuating the piercing punch, the work supporting means and said riveting punch in sequence, whereby an opening is formed in said workpiece, said work-piece is indexed by rotation thereof, and a rivet placed in said opening is riveted during each and every revolution of said shaft.

35. In a piercing and riveting machine, in combination, a power driven operating shaft, a piercing punch and a riveting punch mounted for reciprocating movement in different planes forming an acute angle therebetween, means connecting said piercing and riveting punches with the operating shaft, said means being constructed and arranged to actuate the punches alternately and during each revolution of the shaft, supporting means for a work-piece adapted to have rotation and also operatively connected with said shaft, and indexing means controlling the rotation of said work supporting means and limiting said rotation to the arcuate distance between said piercing and riveting punches.

RUDOLPH A. SKRIBA. 

